SONA marchers cry harassment

MANILA, Philippines - A militant group whose members have been marching from southern Metro Manila to reach Quezon City in time for President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address accused police yesterday of harassing them.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) alleged that police mobiles barricaded their route in Taguig City near Camp Bagong Diwa. They spent Thursday night at the FTI Compound.

“This is plain and simple harassment. They are sowing intimidation and fear to restrain people from expressing their will,” Bayan-Southern Tagalog deputy secretary general Christine Macabetcha said. 

She said no amount of force or harassment by government forces could impede the will of the people to resist Charter change (Cha-cha). 

The Lakbayan is a six-day people’s march against Cha-cha that began last July 22. It will culminate on July 27 where they will participate in a nationwide protest.

The group from Taguig met with marchers from Calabarzon, Mindoro and the National Capital Region along Ayala Avenue in Makati City at around noon yesterday. They then proceeded to the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.       – Rhodina Villanueva